Clothing with externally activated switch

ABSTRACT

An article of clothing includes an electrical circuit having a battery, one or more integrated circuits connected to a signal device such as an array of LEDs and/or a loudspeaker, and, at least one switch which is operative to activate the integrated circuit(s) in response to the application of a magnetic field to the switch from a permanent magnet located externally of the article of clothing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to articles of clothing, and, more particularly,to a shoe having an array of light sources such as LEDs and aloudspeaker which are activated by a magnetic field brought intoproximity with the shoe from an external source.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For a number of years, articles of footwear and various items ofclothing have been sold with decorative arrays of light sources such aslight emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or a loudspeaker capable of producing asound. This has been particularly popular in children's shoes where theLEDs are arranged to complement other design elements of the shoe suchas cartoon characters and the like.

In a typical design of a children's shoe of the type noted above, amodule including a plastic housing is placed in a cavity usually formedin the heel area of the shoe. The module mounts a battery, a switch andconventionally an integrated circuit which is connected by wires to LEDspositioned along the outsole, upper or tongue of the shoe. Theintegrated circuit may also be capable of generating a signal whichoperates a loudspeaker, typically mounted in the upper or tongue of theshoe in the general area of the LEDs. Systems of this type are shown,for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,525,487; 6,286,975; 6,012,822;5,969,479; 5,894,201; 5,812,063 and others.

The integrated circuits employed in modules for children's shoes andother applications are activated by the switch associated with themodule. In most designs, the switch is not operated manually but turnson and off in response to the application of an inertial force, pressureor motion. Spring switches such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. RE37,220 and5,909,088 are a popular choice for children's shoes because they arereliable, noiseless and movable from a neutral or off position to aclosed or on position in response to walking, running or other motion ofthe shoe. Pressure switches such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,159,768;5,649,376; 5,855,080 and 5,714,706 are also employed and they operate inresponse to the application of a weight, e.g. when the child steps ontoa surface.

Another type of switch employed in children's shoes and similarapplications is a magnetically activated switch such as shown in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,422,628 and 5,343,190. In these designs, a reed switch and apermanent magnet are mounted within the heel or other area of the shoe.The magnet is movable between a first position where it is spaced fromthe reed switch and a second position close to the reed switch. A springnormally biases the magnet to the first position, but when motion or aninertial force is applied to the shoe, the magnet overcomes the springforce and moves to the second position where its magnetic field causesthe reed switch to close.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to an article of footwear, and a modulemounted to the article of footwear having an electrical circuitincluding a battery, one or more integrated circuits connected to asignal device such as an array of LEDs and/or a loudspeaker, and, atleast one switch which is operative to activate the integrated circuitsin response to the application of a magnetic field from a permanentmagnet located externally of the article of footwear.

In the presently preferred embodiment, the module includes a plastichousing which mounts the battery, a lighting integrated circuitconnected by wires to a number of LEDs and a sound integrated circuitconnected to one or more loudspeakers. A spring switch is connectedbetween the battery and the lighting integrated circuit which turns onand off in response to the application of motion or an inertial force tothe article of footwear or shoe e.g. by walking, running or othermotion. Operation of the spring switch activates the lighting integratedcircuit which is effective to cause the LEDs to illuminate, preferablyin a flashing or other lighting sequence for a predetermined period oftime.

A second switch, preferably a reed switch, is mounted to the module orwithin a separate casing in the shoe. The reed switch is formed withcooperating contacts which are movable relative to one another under theinfluence of a magnetic field from a separated or open position to aclosed position where they engage one another. In order to move thecontacts of the reed switch to the closed position, a magnetic field isapplied in proximity to the shoe, preferably by a permanent magnet. Inone embodiment, closure of the reed switch causes a circuit connectionto be made wherein both the sound integrated circuit and the lightintegrated circuit are activated, thus causing both the LEDs and theloudspeaker to operate at the same time. Alternatively, closing of thereed switch activates only the loudspeaker.

The application of a magnetic field externally of a shoe to activate theloudspeaker, and in one embodiment both the loudspeaker and LEDs, addsan element of fun and excitement to the shoe of this invention,particularly for young children. A permanent magnet capable of closingthe reed switch may be housed in a wand or other toy item which thechild “waves” over the shoe in the area of the reed switch to close it.The sound integrated circuit can be programmed to produce differentsounds corresponding to the type of toy item which houses the permanentmagnet, adding to the fun and enjoyment of the children wearing theshoes and playing with them.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure, operation and advantages of the presently preferredembodiment of this invention will become further apparent uponconsideration of the following description, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe containing a module which isconnected to an array of LEDs and to a loudspeaker both mounted to theupper of the shoe;

FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of one embodiment of theelectrical circuit of this invention including the LEDs and loudspeakershown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a wand which mounts a permanent magnet;and

FIG. 3B is a schematic view of a reed switch which is closed by thepermanent magnet depicted in FIG. 3A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, a shoe 10 is shown in FIG. 1 having anoutsole 12 connected to an upper 14 including a tongue 16. It should beunderstood that essentially any other article of footwear is consideredwithin the scope of this invention, and the shoe 10 is shown forpurposes of illustration. As such, the term “upper” is meant to broadlyencompass essentially any shoe element mounted to the outsole of anarticle of footwear such as the straps of a sandal, etc.

A module 18 having a housing 19 preferably made of plastic is mounted inthe heel 20 of the shoe 10. A cavity (not shown) is hollowed out of theheel 20 to receive the module 18, over which the sock liner or insole ofthe shoe 10 is secured. As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, themodule 18 is connected by wires 22 to an array of LEDs 24 mounted to theupper 14 of the shoe 10, and by a wire 26 to a loudspeaker 28 alsocarried by the upper 14. The particular location or arrangement of theLEDs 24 on the shoe 10 is a matter of choice, and it is contemplatedthey could be placed on the outsole 12, tongue 16 and in essentially anyother position on the shoe 10. The loudspeaker 28 is preferably mountedto the tongue 16 or some area of the upper 14, rather than on theoutsole 12.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electrical circuit 30 isschematically depicted which includes a battery 32, a reed switch 34, aspring switch 36, a sound integrated circuit (IC) 38 (IC 1), a lightingintegrated circuit 40 (IC 2) and the LEDs 24 and loudspeaker 28. Thebattery 32, ICs 38, 40 and spring switch 36 are preferably mounted onthe module 18, with the wire 26 connecting the sound IC 38 to theloudspeaker 28 and the wires 22 connecting the lighting IC 40 to theLEDs 24. The reed switch 34 may be carried by to the module 18, or,alternatively, it may be mounted within a separate casing 42 asdescribed below in connection with a discussion of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

In one presently preferred embodiment, the spring switch 36 is connectedby a line 44 to the lighting IC 40, which, in turn, is connected by line46 to the opposite terminal of the battery 32. As noted above, wires 22connect the lighting IC 40 with the LEDs 24 and they are connected vialine 48 to the battery 32. The reed switch 34 is connected through adiode 50 to the lighting IC 40, and by line 52 to the sound IC 38. Boththe sound IC 38 and loudspeaker 28 are connected to the battery 32, asschematically shown in FIG. 2.

The detailed construction of the spring switch 36, sound IC 38 andlighting IC 40 forms no part of this invention and is therefore notdiscussed herein. Each of these elements is known in the art andcommercially available. One type of spring switch 36 suitable for use inthe module 18 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,764. The sound IC 38is available under part number 66391, and the lighting IC 40 isavailable under part number 6608, both from Cheerine Development (HongKong) Ltd., having a place of business at Room 1217, North Tower,Concordia Plaza, No. 1 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon,Hong Kong. Depending upon the particular sound IC 38 selected, a soundis produced by the loudspeaker 28 such as a race car, a song etc. Thelighting IC 40 is effective to illuminate the LEDs 24 in one or moreflashing or other lighting sequence of predetermined duration.

The reed switch 34 is of conventional construction as shown in FIG. 3B.It includes a first contact 54 and a second contact 56 which are spacedfrom one another within casing 42. Each of the contacts 54 and 56 isformed of a metal which is movable under the influence of a magneticfield. For purposes of illustration, a wand 58 is depicted in FIG. 3Ahaving a handle 60 which mounts a permanent magnet 62 at one end.Essentially any other kind of toy or other holder could be employed tomount the permanent magnet 62, and the wand 58 is shown for purposes ofillustration only.

The electrical circuit of this invention operates as follows. As shownin FIG. 2, the spring switch 36 is connected between one terminal of thebattery 32 and the lighting IC 40, which, in turn, connects to the otherbattery terminal. In response to the application of an inertial force ormotion to the spring switch 36, it operates to electrically connect thebattery 32 with the lighting IC 40. This activates the lighting IC 40which is effective to illuminate the LEDs 24 connected thereto in aparticular flashing or other lighting sequence.

The reed switch 34 employed in the shoe 10 of this invention is notoperated in response to the application of pressure, an inertial force,motion or the like. Instead, the contacts 54 and 56 of the reed switch34 are movable into engagement with one another in response to theapplication of a magnetic field. This magnetic field is provided by thepermanent magnet 62 carried at the end of wand 58. The wand 58 isgrasped by its handle 60 and placed at a location on the outside of theshoe 10 in proximity to where the reed switch 34 is mounted. The wand 58and magnet 62 are then moved relative to the shoe 10 and the reed switch34 so that the magnetic field of the magnet 62 causes the contacts 54,56 of the reed switch 34 to engage one another. This electricallyconnects the battery 32 with the sound IC 38, and also with the lightingIC 40 through the diode 50 as shown in FIG. 2. The sound IC 38 sends asignal to the loudspeaker 28 causing it to produce a particular sound,and the lighting IC 40 operates in the same manner describe above toilluminate the LEDs 24. Both the sound IC 38 and lighting IC 40 areoperative to turn off the loudspeaker 28 and LEDs 24, respectively,after a predetermined period at which time they reset in preparation foranother sequence of operation.

In the embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 2, closure of thespring switch 36 is effective to operate only the lighting IC 40. Thediode 50 does not conduct when connected to the battery 32 through thespring switch 36. Consequently, when a child is walking, running orotherwise applying motion or an inertial force on the shoe 10 and springswitch 36, only the LEDs 24 are illuminated and no sound is produced.Upon placement of the permanent magnet 62 into proximity with the reedswitch 34, as discussed above, closure of the reed switch 34 results inthe activation of both the sound IC 38 and lighting IC 40 since thediode 50 conducts when connected to the battery 32 through reed switch34. The LEDs 24 and loudspeaker 28 are therefore operated at the sametime by the magnet 62, and the loudspeaker 28 is operated only inresponse to closure of the reed switch 34.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents substituted for elementsthereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition,many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation ormaterial to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof.

For example, in the embodiment of this invention shown in the Figs., aspring switch 36 is connected between the battery 32 and lighting IC 40so that the LEDs may be illuminated in response to the application of aninertial force or motion to the shoe 10 and independently of theoperation of the reed switch 34. In an alternative embodiment, thespring switch 36 is eliminated so that the lighting IC 40 is activatedin response to operation of the reed switch 34. In that case, the LEDs24 and loudspeaker 28 are always activated at the same time,independently of any motion or inertial force applied to the shoe 10.

Additionally, for purposes of the present discussion, operation of thelighting IC 40 and sound IC 38 have been described as being responsiveto movement of the reed switch 34 or spring switch 36 from an openposition to a closed position. It should be understood that in somedesigns integrated circuits illuminate LEDs in a particular lightingsequence in response to movement of a switch from the closed position tothe open position. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,103.Consequently, reference in the foregoing description and in the appendedclaims to activation of the sound IC 38 and/or lighting IC 40, or a“signal device,” e.g., LEDs 24 or speaker 28, in response to “closing”of switch 34 or 36, is meant to broadly encompass integrated circuitoperation which is responsive to movement of the switch from the openposition to the closed position or from the closed position to the openposition.

Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to theparticular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated forcarrying out this invention, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. An article of footwear, comprising: an outsole, and an upper mountedto said outsole; an electrical circuit mounted to at least one of saidoutsole and said upper, said electrical circuit including a signaldevice and a switch movable under the influence of a magnetic field froman open position to a closed position, said signal device beingactivated in response to movement of said switch to one of said openposition and said closed position; a magnet located externally of saidoutsole and said upper, said magnet being moveable into sufficientproximity with said switch so that the magnetic field of said magnetmoves said switch to said closed position.
 2. The article of footwear ofclaim 1 in which said signal device is at least one source of light. 3.The article of footwear of claim 1 in which said signal device is aloudspeaker.
 4. The article of footwear of claim 1 in which said signaldevice is at least one source of light and at least one loudspeaker. 5.The article of footwear of claim 1 in which said magnet is a permanentmagnet mounted to a toy.
 6. The article of footwear of claim 1 in whichsaid module is mounted to said outsole, and said signal device ismounted to said upper.
 7. The article of footwear of claim 1 in whichsaid electrical circuit further includes a battery and at least oneintegrated circuit coupled to said switch and to said signal device. 8.The article of footwear of claim 1 in which said signal device is atleast one LED, said electrical circuit further including a battery and alighting integrated circuit, said lighting integrated circuit beingcoupled to said battery and to said at least one LED.
 9. The article offootwear of claim 1 in which said signal device is at least oneloudspeaker, said electrical circuit further including a battery and asound integrated circuit, said sound integrated circuit being coupled tosaid battery and to said at least one loudspeaker.
 10. The article offootwear of claim 1 in which said signal device is at least one LED andat least one loudspeaker, said electrical circuit further including alighting integrated circuit operative to illuminate said at least oneLED and a sound integrated circuit operative to sound said at least oneloudspeaker.
 11. The article of footwear of claim 10 further includingan inertially-activated switch coupled to said lighting integratedcircuit, said inertially-activated switch being effective to activatesaid lighting integrated circuit independently of the operation of saidswitch moveable under the influence of a magnetic field.
 12. An articleof footwear, comprising: an outsole, and an upper mounted to saidoutsole; an electrical circuit mounted to at least one of said outsoleand said upper, said electrical circuit including: (i) a battery; (ii)at least one LED; (iii) at least one loudspeaker; (iv) a lightingintegrated circuit and a sound integrated circuit, said lightingintegrated circuit being coupled to said at least one LED and said soundintegrated circuit being coupled to said at least one loudspeaker; (v) afirst switch coupled to said battery, to said sound integrated circuitand to said lighting integrated circuit, said first switch being movableunder the influence of a magnetic field from an open position to aclosed position; a magnet located externally of said outsole and saidupper, said magnet being movable into sufficient proximity with saidfirst switch so that the magnetic field of said magnet moves said firstswitch to said closed position, said lighting integrated circuit andsaid sound integrated being activated by said first switch to cause saidat least one LED to illuminate and said at least one loudspeaker toproduce a sound, respectively.
 13. The article of footwear of claim 12further including a second switch coupled to said battery and to saidlighting integrated circuit, said second switch being operative toactuate said lighting integrated circuit independently of said firstswitch.
 14. A module for use with an article of clothing, comprising: ahousing adapted to be mounted to an article of clothing; an electricalcircuit at least partially carried by said housing, said electricalcircuit including a signal device and a switch movable under theinfluence of a magnetic field from an open position to a closedposition, said signal device being activated in response to movement ofsaid switch to one of said closed position and said open position; amagnet located externally of the article of clothing, said magnet beingmoveable into sufficient proximity with said switch so that the magneticfield of said magnet moves said switch to said closed position.
 15. Themodule of claim 14 in which the article of clothing is an article offootwear having an outsole connected to an upper, said housing beingadapted to be mounted to at least one of the outsole and upper of thearticle of footwear.
 16. The module of claim 14 in which said signaldevice is at least one source of light.
 17. The module of claim 14 inwhich said signal device is a loudspeaker.
 18. The module of claim 14 inwhich said signal device is at least one source of light and at leastone loudspeaker.
 19. The module of claim 14 in which said magnet is apermanent magnet mounted to a toy.
 20. The module of claim 14 in whichsaid electrical circuit further includes a battery and at least oneintegrated circuit coupled to said switch and to said signal device. 21.The module of claim 14 in which said signal device is at least one LED,said electrical circuit further including a battery and a lightingintegrated circuit, said lighting integrated circuit being coupled tosaid battery and to said at least one LED.
 22. The module of claim 14 inwhich said signal device is at least one loudspeaker, said electricalcircuit further including a battery and a sound integrated circuit, saidsound integrated circuit being coupled to said battery and to said atleast one loudspeaker.
 23. The module of claim 14 in which said signaldevice is at least one LED and at least one loudspeaker, said electricalcircuit further including a lighting integrated circuit operative toilluminate said at least one LED and a sound integrated circuitoperative to sound said at least one loudspeaker.
 24. The module ofclaim 23 further including an inertially-activated switch coupled tosaid lighting integrated circuit, said inertially-activated switch beingeffective to activate said lighting integrated circuit independently ofthe operation of said switch moveable under the influence of a magneticfield.